Clarence Drive is the stretch of the R44 that hugs the eastern shore of False Bay, from Gordon's Bay to Rooi-Els. It's about 22 km long, with the Kogelberg mountains rising straight up on one side and the sea dropping away on the other. On a clear day you can see across the bay to Table Mountain and Cape Point.
It starts ten minutes from Green Gables, and it's the drive we recommend most often to guests. Unlike Chapman's Peak on the other side of the bay, there's no toll, and there are plenty of places to pull over.
Where does Clarence Drive start and end?
It starts at the eastern edge of Gordon's Bay and runs south-east along the coast to Rooi-Els. Beyond Rooi-Els, the R44 forks near Pringle Bay, with one branch going to Cape Hangklip and the other continuing to Betty's Bay and Kleinmond. Clarence Drive is the first part of the Cape Whale Coast route.
Why is it called Clarence Drive?
It's named after Gerald "Jack" Clarence, the businessman who proposed the road. Construction began around 1940, and Italian prisoners of war helped build it during the Second World War. Rebuilt sections were officially reopened in 1998.
Stops along the way
Steenbras River mouth and bridge: just outside Gordon's Bay. The Crystal Pools hike starts here in summer, and there's a viewpoint over the river mouth.
Sparks Bay: a tidal pool with braai and picnic spots, and an entrance fee. The Klipspringer Trail in the Steenbras Nature Reserve starts across the road.
Kogel Bay and Dappat se Gat: a long surf beach and a sea cave you can step into at low tide. See our Kogel Bay guide.
Rooi-Els: a tiny village at the end of Clarence Drive, with a rocky shore and a small beach where the Rooi-Els River meets the sea.
Beyond the drive: Pringle Bay, then Betty's Bay, with the Stony Point penguin colony and the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden.
Whale watching on Clarence Drive
From about June to November, southern right whales come into False Bay. The high pull-offs along Clarence Drive are among the best land-based lookouts on this side of the bay. The whales aren't usually as close as in Hermanus, but the view is hard to beat. Stop when the sea is calm and bring binoculars. Dolphins are often seen year-round.
Is Clarence Drive open?
The road has sharp bends, and rockfalls sometimes happen, especially after heavy rain. Sections are occasionally closed for clearing or repairs. Check the City of Cape Town and local traffic updates before you set off, particularly in winter.
Safety tips
Drive it in daylight, take the bends slowly, and watch for cyclists and baboons. The pull-offs are isolated, so don't leave valuables in the car, and avoid stopping alone at quiet spots.
How long does it take?
Without stops, Gordon's Bay to Rooi-Els takes about half an hour. Allow half a day to stop at the lookouts and have lunch, or a full day if you continue to Betty's Bay for the penguins and the botanical garden.
Make a day of it
Start at the Gordon's Bay end, drive to Betty's Bay for the penguins, and come back along the coast in the late afternoon, when the light on the mountains is at its best. Finish with dinner at Gordon's Bay harbour.
